Bipartisan Legislation Introduced To Block Trump From Lifting Russian Sanctions
On Wednesday, Democratic leaders in the House introduced bipartisan legislation that is designed to block Donald Trump from lifting Russian sanctions without congressional approval.
Democratic Minority Whip Steny Hoyer said that the legislation is designed “to ensure that Russia receives no sanctions relief until it earns it.”
He continued, “Clearly, there has been some confusion as to exactly the status of sanctions that exist.”
Congressman Adam Schiff who is the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee recently said, “I’m dismayed that such a step is even necessary. These sanctions enjoyed bipartisan support when they were put in place by President Obama, and lifting them without a clear change in Russia’s behavior would be nothing more than an appeasement of Putin’s destabilizing agenda.”
“Not only has Russian behavior not changed,” Schiff added, “it has intensified.”
According to The Hill, “the legislation has bipartisan support, with the list of co-sponsors including GOP Reps. Tom Rooney (Fla.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) and Mike Turner (Ohio). Although both Rooney and Kinzinger had planned to attend Wednesday’s unveiling, neither showed up.”
A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate. The Senate bill has bipartisan support from Republicans John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio and Democrats Sherrod Brown, Claire McCaskill and Ben Cardin.
